Part 18 (1/2)
”The apprehension of the murderer, or useful information that would lead to conviction.”
”Oh! Ah, yes; a reward by all means! Of course I'll give a reward to stimulate incompetence, eh?”
”What will your lords.h.i.+p make it?” asked the officer, determined this time to show no resentment.
”Two hundred--five hundred--have what you like--so long as you get that brute.”
”Five hundred, my lord, would stimulate us all.”
”Very well,” said Lord Radclyffe briefly. ”Good evening.”
”Good evening, my lord. And to-morrow morning we'll be ready for the body to be taken away, if you wish it. But the inquest will be the day after, so perhaps it might be best to wait until then. At the coroner's court, Victoria, my lord--South Kensington, you know--everything will be all right. Good evening, my lord.”
The two men took their leave, glad enough to have done with the unpleasant interview.
As they walked to the door that gave from the library on the hall it was opened from the outside, and a seedy-looking man, dressed in shabby evening clothes that bore many traces of past libations, walked unceremoniously midway into the room.
”Will you see Mr. Luke de Mountford?” he muttered addressing his master.
”Certainly not,” replied his lords.h.i.+p. ”It's much too late. Ask Mr.
Luke to call again to-morrow. And you and your wife can go to bed.”
CHAPTER XV
AND MANY MUST BE QUESTIONED
By the time the police officers reached the outer hall door, Luke had received his order of dismissal. He stood on the step for a moment, undecided what to do, and saw the two men coming out of his uncle's study.
They raised their hats as they met him on the door step, and one of them said politely:
”Mr. Luke de Mountford?”
”That is my name,” replied Luke.
”Mine is Travers--attached to Scotland Yard. Could I ask you a few questions?”
”Certainly, but not in my uncle's house, I think.”
”Of course not; where do you suggest?”
”Here on the door step if you like.”
”Hardly. Might I trouble you to step into a cab with me and to come as far as Victoria police court?”
”It's very late, isn't it? I have an engagement at eleven close by here.”
He was going to fetch Colonel Harris and Louisa at the Danish Legation and pilot them home to the Langham.